Blog Archives
The History of Mankind
Desert Guardian follows a young man on a post-graduation trip, who literally falls into a hidden world of illegal artifacts, danger, and unexpected friendships. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The grandeur and other-worldly feel of the gorges, rivers, and hoodoos of Canyonlands National Park provided the inspiration for the set-up of this story.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
Ethan is a “reluctant hero,” dropped into the setting by accident, so one of his main themes was finding the strength to persevere, uncover the theft of ancient artifacts, and fight not only for his own survival but for that of newfound friends.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Our relationships with the earth, wilderness, and the history of mankind are themes in the novel. The thieves see the artifacts not as precious history but as something to be exploited. Relic, and eventually Ethan, see their connections with the past and the place that shaped it and work to protect them.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a total of six Relic novels and am working on the seventh. It is not likely to be ready for another year or so.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Get ready for an epic adventurous thrill ride into danger and murder
A moonshining hermit. A campus bookworm. A midnight murder. Can an unlikely duo and a whitewater crew save themselves and an ancient Aztec battlefield from deadly looters? Ethan’s world turns upside-down when he slips off the edge of red-rock cliffs into a world of twisting ravines and coveted artifacts. Saved by a mysterious desert recluse named Relic, Ethan must join a whitewater rafting group and make his way back to civilization. But someone in the gorge is killing to protect their illegal dig for ancient treasures… When Anya, the lead whitewater guide, is attacked, he must divert the killer into the dark canyon night, but his most deadly pursuer is not who he thinks… Ethan struggles to save his new friends, face his own mortality, and unravel the chilling murders. But when they flee the secluded canyon, a lethal hunter is hot on their trail…
Changing Lives
Against the Wind follows a sixteen-year-old girl living in foster care who runs away and steals an antique airplane, leading her to meet a quantum physics professor also on the run from the FBI and Russian mafia. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve been a licensed pilot for nearly 28 years, but I’ve been flying with my father since I was a small child. He had his pilot’s license at the age of 16 and I’ve known of young pilots flying cross country and have always been impressed with that! As for the quantum physics aspect of the novel, the science behind it is absolutely amazing! Quantum computers will change our lives forever!
Your characters are wonderfully emotive and relatable. Were you able to use anything from your own life to inform their character development?
I think most authors have a storehouse of characters and character traits to call on when writing. Any teenage cross-country pilot shows remarkable independence and, in the case of Against the Wind, real courage. I wanted the physics professor to learn as much from her as she did from him!
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
For me, it’s usually a mix. Certain key twists must be planned and others evolve in the course of the writing.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on the next “Relic” book, featuring the moonshining hermit of Canyonlands National Park (see Moonshine Mesa for example). Thought a “series,” each novel is stand-alone.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Book Reivew
Chloe flees her unsafe foster home in a stolen antique airplane. Professor Dochauser eludes a Russian spy willing to kill for the professor’s breakthrough in quantum computing. When their paths collide, they begin a cross-country quest to find Chloe’s grandfather and a safe haven for the professor. The Russian mafia, FBI, and social services race to find the runaway and the quantum prototype that can tip the balance of world power.
But not everyone in the chase is who they seem…
#TechnoThriller #OrganizedCrime #RussianMafia #CrimeThrillers #EspionageThrillers #FlyingAirplaneThrillers #YoungFemalePilot #QuantumComputerThriller #ActionThriller #ActionAdventure #CrossCountryChase #Adventure #FlyingAdventures #ThrillerMystery #TechnoMystery #Heartwarming #Humour&Adventure
Desert Guardian
Desert Guardian by A.W. Baldwin is an action-packed adventure set against the vast and rugged backdrop of the American Southwest. The story intertwines past and present, starting with a flashback to a Pueblo ambush on Mexica warriors in 1224 A.D. This historic tension sets the stage for the modern-day narrative, where Ethan, a young man on a post-graduation trip, literally falls into a hidden world of illegal artifacts, danger, and unexpected friendships. After surviving a bike accident, Ethan is saved by Relic, a desert hermit, and the two forge an unlikely bond as they navigate the harsh desert and the shady underworld of artifact smugglers.
The author perfectly captures the wild beauty of the desert, making it a character in its own right. The descriptions are vivid. Baldwin writes with a clear reverence for the setting, and that love of the environment adds depth to the story’s more intense moments. The setting is well-crafted, but the dialogue and character development, at times, feel less polished. Ethan’s internal monologues occasionally lean toward melodrama, particularly when he reflects on his near-death experience, which may momentarily disrupt the immersion. Relic’s gruff yet wise personality shines through, especially in moments where he imparts desert survival tips or shares cryptic advice.
The pacing of the novel is generally quick, with moments of introspection balanced by bursts of action. The scenes involving the artifact smuggling ring are tense and engaging, especially as the reader starts to unravel how deep the conspiracy goes. Boss, the antagonist, is suitably ruthless, and his cold demeanor makes for a chilling counterbalance to the more humane characters like Relic and Ethan. The subplot involving ancient Pueblo petroglyphs and hidden trails gives the novel an air of intrigue that kept me flipping pages, wondering how all the pieces would connect.
Desert Guardian is an entertaining adventure novel for those who enjoy thrillers with a historical twist and a strong sense of place. Baldwin’s love for the desert landscape shines through, and the fast-paced plot will appeal to adventure lovers. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about survival, hidden treasures, and characters who live by their own rules in the unforgiving wilderness.
Pages: 209 | ASIN : B08MB6XL8S
Against the Wind
Against the Wind by A.W. Baldwin spins an electrifying tale of adventure, danger, and unlikely partnerships. The story centers around 16-year-old Chloe, who has a lot on her plate. She’s desperate to escape her sketchy foster parents and even more determined to steal a plane to visit her grandfather. But will her daring plan work out? At the same time, Professor Dochauser is deeply involved in a high-stakes quantum physics project, research that holds the potential to change lives. However, a relentless “journalist” will stop at nothing to steal the professor’s work. It doesn’t take long for Chloe and the professor to realize that if they want to survive, they’ll need to rely on each other, because failure—or death—is not an option.
Chloe, the novel’s fiery protagonist, is a sassy, well-crafted character who brings a spark to every page. Readers will be drawn to her wit and resilience. The professor, while flawed, is equally compelling—a brilliant yet endearing figure that you can’t help but cheer for. Together, they face a series of thrilling, life-threatening situations, and the chemistry between them keeps the story’s momentum strong. The pacing is spot-on, with a tone that balances tension with bursts of humor. Set primarily in the sky, the story’s high-flying action will make readers dream of becoming pilots themselves. The stakes are high from the start—being shot at in a plane is just one of the pulse-pounding moments that makes this novel hard to put down. Yet, amid the danger, there are moments of beauty and human connection, such as when Chloe and the professor meet kind-hearted strangers on their journey to Spokane. The story also touches on the darker side of life, especially in Chloe’s struggle with her foster parents, who are anything but ideal. There’s an underlying sadness in her story, but it never overshadows the fierce drive that pushes her forward. Meanwhile, the looming threat of a mysterious antagonist—willing to go to any extreme to seize the professor’s secrets—keeps the tension high.
Against the Wind is a fast-paced, action-packed thrill ride that blends danger, humor, and heart. With its engaging characters, sky-high adventures, and nail-biting twists, this is a story that readers will devour and thoroughly enjoy!
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0DHV3G316
Contrasts Erupt Into Humor
Raptor Canyon follows a gin-brewing recluse, who witnesses a murder, and sets out to investigate what is happening in the canyon. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Discovering ancient petroglyphs in unexpected places off-trail sparks curiosity and imagination: What do some of these unusual shapes mean? Is it possible that some depict extinct dinosaurs? This possibility inspired this key question in Raptor Canyon.
All of your characters are unique, and readers would not automatically expect them to be put together in a story. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
Conflict and contrast between characters display their personalities and also shove the story forward, sometimes in surprising ways. I like to let the contrasts create conflict. I especially like to let those contrasts erupt into humor.
Your novel takes readers through some hair-raising action at times. How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I think the story elements often happen best when the characters are running for their lives. I think you have to tell the story through the action.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
The Relic novels are not a “series,” strictly speaking. Sometimes I refer to them as a series, so readers know they are closely related, and involve the same key character, but each is a “stand alone” novel. The next is Moonshine Mesa, set to be released later this month.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As a fresh graduate, Wyatt is anxious to make his mark among the army of lawyers in a respected Denver law firm. When his boss invites him to tour a client’s development project bordering Canyonlands National Park, Wyatt jumps at the chance, but his boss is not what he seems…
When a treacherous security chief tries to kill Relic, Wyatt is caught in the deadly chase. An unusual pair, Wyatt and Relic must tolerate each other while fleeing through white-water rapids, remote gorges, and hidden caverns. Relic devises a plan to save the treasured canyon but Wyatt must come to terms with the cost to his career if he fights his powerful boss…
A college student with secret ties to the site, Faye joins the kitchen crew so she can spy on the enigmatic project. She catches Relic and Wyatt red-handed, preparing for action. But when she hears their desperate plan, she has a decision to make…
Armed with a full box of toothpicks (and a little dynamite), can the unlikely trio monkey-wrench the corrupt land deal and recast the fate of Raptor Canyon?
A Kinship With the Earth
Moonshine Mesa is the story of the intriguing connection between a lawyer, a moonshiner, and a deputy, all of whom are embroiled in a gripping environmental mystery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This growing technology – carbon sequestration – often reveals conflicting values and reactions and, at the moment, massive amounts of federal and other funding. Each character has a different approach to the project based on their own objectives. When those clash together, things get really interesting.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
I guess my favorite is “Relic.” One scene is when he essentially says to the aspiring lawyer: “no, we are not humans in search of a spiritual experience…we are spirits having a human experience.” That encapsulates his approach to the other characters, the majestic canyons he wanders, and the bad guys who threaten both.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Moonshine Mesa?
That we are all in a deep kinship with the earth.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Hard to say for sure. I would like a follow-up to see if Deputy Dawson and Relic ever get to team up to solve a crime….
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Criminal clients, a pollution mitigation scam, and a million-dollar double-cross make Moonshine Mesa a dangerous place for an aspiring lawyer, an intrepid deputy, and a moonshining hermit.
Something is killing bees, crows, and humans at Moonshine Mesa. When Parker finds suspicious readings at a remote pump station, clients of a prestigious law firm prepare to toss him off a cliff. A gin-brewing recluse named Relic saves him and together they must solve the mysterious deaths, outmaneuver armed drug runners, and rescue an intrepid deputy dedicated to solving the crimes. And all is not what it seems between the partners in these lethal schemes…
Can they unravel these baffling deaths and stem the environmental carnage?
Raptor Canyon
Raptor Canyon by A. W. Baldwin plunges readers into a gripping tale where capitalism clashes with history and ancient relics. Dive into a world where a scheming group, which includes lawyers, unlawfully claims land from an elderly man to set up a resort. Their audacity doesn’t stop there – they plot to place fake petroglyphs on rocks, hoping to lure in more tourists. Yet, within this group, one conscientious lawyer overhears their intentions and bravely opts out, setting the stage for a thrilling chase.
Baldwin’s narrative style pulls you in, effortlessly blending action-packed sequences with realistic scenes that address today’s concerns about preserving natural landscapes. In a post-coronavirus world where we’re eager to explore, it makes us question: At what cost? The story reminds us that as we seek solace in nature, there are those who exploit it for profit, reshaping and even fabricating its history.
I was particularly enthralled by the vivid portrayal of the protagonist’s adventures and escapes. The encounters with sinister characters, the narrow getaways, and the intricate planning elements all craft an exhilarating thriller. While the ending offers hope, Baldwin leaves some threads untied, giving readers a touch of intrigue even on the last page.
Raptor Canyon is a must-read for those craving an adventure tale infused with timely environmental themes. Dive in and get lost in Baldwin’s riveting world.
Pages: 342 | ASIN : B07G1FFZ29
Moonshine Mesa
Moonshine Mesa by A.W. Baldwin follows the intertwining stories of an aspiring lawyer named Parker, a moonshining hermit named Relic, and an intrepid deputy, all connected by the mysterious happenings on Moonshine Mesa. The Mesa is plagued by a series of inexplicable deaths affecting bees, crows, and even humans. As Parker stumbles upon suspicious data from a remote pump station, he becomes the target of his criminal clients, who are involved in a $55 million eco-scam. Just when things seem dire, Relic, a secluded individual known for brewing gin, comes to Parker’s rescue. Together, Parker and Relic embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind the deaths and the pollution mitigation scam. As they delve deeper, they realize the situation is more complex and dangerous than anticipated. They must navigate armed drug runners, intricate schemes, and shifting alliances. Additionally, an intrepid deputy is determined to solve the crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. As the partners unravel the layers of deception, they discover that the stakes are higher than they thought.
Moonshine Mesa offers readers a gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and environmental peril. The characters are multi-dimensional and engaging, each with unique quirks and motivations that drive the narrative forward. Parker’s journey from an ambitious lawyer to a reluctant hero is compelling, while Relic’s enigmatic persona adds an air of mystery to the story. The intrepid deputy’s determination to solve the crimes brings an additional layer of suspense to the plot.
The plot itself is intricately woven, blending elements of environmental disaster, corporate greed, and criminal intrigue. The gradual unveiling of the various threads keeps readers hooked and eager to uncover the truth alongside the characters. The author creates a sense of tension and urgency, particularly as the protagonists face imminent danger from both criminal adversaries and the environmental crisis at hand.
The themes explored in the novel, including the impact of human actions on the environment and the consequences of unchecked corporate ambition, add depth to the story. The intricate web of alliances and double-crosses keeps readers guessing and invested until the end. While I enjoyed the story, I felt that, at times, the complexity of the plot and the numerous characters were challenging to follow. However, Moonshine Mesa offers a satisfying and thought-provoking read for those who enjoy intricate mysteries with well-developed characters and high-stakes scenarios.
Moonshine Mesa delivers a captivating narrative filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. With a cast of compelling characters and a plot that keeps you guessing, this novel is a must-read for thrillers and environmental intrigue fans. The author’s skillful storytelling and ability to tackle relevant themes make for an engaging and thought-provoking novel.
ASIN : B0CDZHZWMC
LITERARY TITAN 